Martin O'Neill has trimmed the bloated 40 man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia. The seven players to miss out are Kieran Westwood, Simon Cox, Anthony Stokes, Chris Forrester, Paul Green, Greg Cunningham and Darron Gibson. It is a particular blow to Westwood's hopes of making the Euro 2016 squad.
The news is particularly good news for Matt Doherty, Eunan O'Kane, Jonathan Hayes and Alan Judge, who are all in line for international debuts ahead of the Championships. Another winner is Stephen Gleeson, who has not made an appearance for Ireland since 2007. Under 21 prospect Jack Byrne will train with the senior squad next week ahead of the games.
The process calls into question why O'Neill bothers naming such a large squad in the first place.
Ireland play Switzerland on Good Friday, and will follow that up a clash with Slovakia on Tuesday, March 29.
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